STEM Pipeline

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Why STEM? Why Now?

You might have heard the term STEM mentioned lately.

The acronym that has educators, businesses and politicians abuzz, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is considered the cornerstone to our nation’s prosperity. It is an interdisciplinary approach to learning by combining multiple academic subjects and focusing on real-world lessons. It is about students applying science, technology, engineering and mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work and the world around them while moving students forward – creating stronger problem solvers and more creative innovators to lead the global economy.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, innovation, largely derived from advances in science and engineering, is a primary driver of the future economy and creation of jobs. However, the percentage of science and engineering degrees awarded annually peaked in the 1960's. In Central Florida, we actually lag behind. Only 20% of the degrees awarded in Central Florida are in the STEM fields, compared to 30% nationally.

Students are finishing high school without being fully prepared for college. According to The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2013 report, only 19% of Florida’s class of 2013 scored “college-ready” on all four ACT exams. When compared to performance nationally, Florida ranked 41st in math and 48th in science on the 2013 ACT. In an increasingly competitive world, where innovation is the key to a flourishing economy, the need for us to educate ourselves and our children in STEM fields is more pressing than ever.

Orlando Science Center is taking a stand in the efforts to revitalize STEM education in our community. Whether you encounter us here in the facility with your family, with your Scout organization, on a field trip, or even through one of our off-site school programs, our goal is the same – to show people that exploring these critical areas in an informal way can be fun, exciting and even inspiring.

Our hope is that you’ll take the things you discovered as a result of your time with us and use them as a springboard to explore at home and in school too. Our ultimate goal is to create a STEM-centered community that paves the way towards excellence in science, technology, engineering and math.

If future generations don’t receive an adequate STEM education, they won’t have the opportunity for the highest paying jobs, compete in a global market or fill the STEM pipeline that leads to economic growth. We hope you’ll join us on this journey!

Learn about the effects of acid:

Industry faces many challenges and opportunities associated with employing the workforce of the future. The acronym that has educators, businesses and politicians abuzz, STEM is considered the cornerstone of our nation’s prosperity.

Science came alive for 96 fourth graders from Tavares Elementary School as they built bridges and competed in science challenges during a free field trip at Orlando Science Center on December 6, 2013.

The day began with a discovery lab in which students teamed up and designed a bridge to withstand the heaviest load. After that, they ventured to the exhibit floor to apply the engineering skills they learned in the lab to solve problems and evaluate results.

Through a $75,000 grant, Duke Energy will help bring more than 3,500 students from its service area to the Science Center to engage them with fundamental engineering principles, excite them with STEM topics and inspire them about future careers.

A giant thanks goes out to Duke Energy for their involvement and support to encourage STEM learning. See what the first field trip accomplished in the video and slideshow below!

Microsoft Corporation bestowed Orlando Science Center with a $300,000 grant for computer software Tuesday at the Microsoft Store grand opening at the Mall at Millenia. In addition, the Science Center received $5,000 in Microsoft store credit. These gifts will enable the Science Center to better serve Central Florida youth and inspire science learning for life.

Hundreds attended the grand opening ceremony including Science Center staff. Also in attendance were Congressman Daniel Webster and Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan. Arthur Filip, Microsoft’s Vice President of Sales, Worldwide Services, distributed contributions totaling over $1 million dollars to four community organizations (Orlando Science Center, BETA Center, Give Kids the World and the National Academic Foundation.

Orlando Science Center thanks Microsoft Corporation and looks forward to a fruitful partnership in the years to come.

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